Andy Walker dot com

First in a number of projects I've been designing for Andy Walker went live yesterday. Produced to coincide with the release of his new book, the site is intended to showcase Andy's many and varied talents as an author and tv host.

I've been getting plenty of feedback already, all of it positive, so I'm really pleased it's been received well.

Many more projects still to come, including a new version of Cyberwalker (get a sneak peek here), and a new Lab Rats site, where you can already see the new title graphics I produced for the vidcast.

Plenty mo' still to do, better get back to it.

The Big 3-0

Celebrated my final night as a twenty-something last night with close friends and family. Great food and ale was enjoyed by all, a little too much perhaps, as I really paid for it this morning.

It's a milestone that really makes you look back and assess where you're at in life, and where you're heading. Now it's time to start thinking about where I'm going to be in another thirty years, and that's maybe a little scary.

In an effort to alleviate said fears, I found a funny list of 10 things you can expect after you turn 30. All I can say is, number one is undeniable, oh boy I'm grimacing at number five, and laughing my ass off at number eight.

Ok. So that laugh trailed off to a nervous chuckle in the end. ;)

iTunes Tuesday?

I first read about the imminent arrival of iTunes on our shores, oooh about 6 months ago, mainly on Whirlpool which came and disappointingly went. A few months later, same thing... big rumors, zero result.

I'm hoping it's third time lucky, as the coverage about this latest rumor is fairly widespread, and the discussion on Slashdot has some juicy info that seem to indicate this time around it's the real deal.

One thing I *really* hope is possible using the store will be the ability to purchase TV shows, American shows I mean. No more waiting 6-12 months before it's on my screen.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see, but it would cap off one helluva month for Apple in my book.

New Sensation

Not usually one for reality programming, I can proudly say I've never watched a single minute of Survivor, Big Brother, or any other tripe served up in the genre.

With one exception. Rock Star INXS has me hooked.

Why? Big INXS fan since waaaay back in the day, short answer. At first when I saw the promo's for the show I thought, "Ungh, sellouts." And I'll admit that it still is a little cheesy holding a competition to front one of Australia's most successful rock bands, but once I actually gave the show half a look, it got me in.

So after eight weeks, its down to the final six. The remaining performers I picked at the start to still be there at this stage, as they clearly are the most talented, Suzie, Ty, Mig, Marty, Jordis and JD. Of these six, the two I'd really like to see make it are Mig and Marty.

I gotsta support Mig, being the sole Aussie on the show, and I'd really like to see him win. Nice guy. Now, thats the patriot in me, let's hear from the pragmatist.

Marty should win, no argument. I think as far as the "total package" of a rockstar, attitude, application, and ability, he's got it all.

Last nights performance of "Dont Change" sinched it for me, check it out.

Google Maps Australia

Looks like Google is now mapping Australia, or perhaps more correctly imaging Australia, at the moment only the satellite images are available.

Quality and coverage are pretty good, I was able to drag around the entire coastline with the slider at mid range. Fortunately my area was available at max zoom, can't say the same for the Sydney CBD. Most of the outer suburbs, with the exception of the North Shore, are crystal clear.

For more interesting stuff you can find on Google Maps, check out Google Sightseeing

Theres a Bad Moon on the Rise... maybe

Did anyone else feel the collective shudder of Mac users around the world this morning?

Steve's announcement at the WWDC wasn't exactly unexpected, for days now we've all been expecting the news that Apple was to join forces with Intel.

When the cards were finally laid on the table, turns out Jobs wasn't bluffing. I just don't know how pleased I was to see the hand.

No, I'm not exactly thrilled at the announcement, but I don't think it's quite the end of the Mac as I've heard from a number of speculators.

What will this do for Apple sales for the next year? Hmm... Die hard Mac fans definitely wont be buying anytime soon, myself being one of them.

For the mean time, I'll continue to enjoy my virus and spyware free operating system. We'll all just have to wait and see over the coming weeks and months how smooth this transition will be.

*crosses fingers*